36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligent, Hilarious, and Deeply Moving (with great DVD Extras), November 2, 2005
This? Is a great movie about loss and love that isn't dreary or heavy, but lighter than air.
It's funny, tender, moving, and intelligent. If I had to name a personal favorite, although I have thousands in my "top 100 list" this movie would be it. Minghella just wrote something delicate and funny, human, compassionate, and that exudes not only a love for people in all their differences, but that also just as wonderfully exudes a love of music and of literature.
Telling the story of Nina, a woman coping with a devastating loss, the script is whimsical and lighter than air and yet about some incredibly big, deep stuff. Juliet Stevenson is hilarous, klutzy, befuddled, and lovable as Nina -- sweetly goofy in some scenes, and then absolutely wrenching in others. And it's great to see Alan Rickman in a rare (and very charming) romantic leading role as Jamie (who knew he could sing?). Michael Maloney's role is tougher in some ways, but he has a touching and quite charismatic opening scene, as well as one of the funniest first-date-scenes I've ever seen.
Ultimately, Truly Madly Deeply is a lovely, resonant story about grownups who don't talk like they're in a movie. The performances are fantastic, the romantic triangle is unique and likeable, and every character is a memorable and believable person you're happy to have met, from the romantic Polish handyman, to Nina's prickly yet big-hearted Scottish boss (a fabulous Bill Paterson), to the philosophical rat exterminator (who's pretty sure rats can talk to each other), to Nina's best friend, a very pregnant Spanish filmmaker who manages to keep a cheery attitude even when forced to clean houses for a living. Everyone we meet in the movie is smart, individual, and delightful (even the ghosts, who spend most of their afterlife watching movies on borrowed VCRs).
The DVD itself looks great, with a few notable informational tidbits and features. My favorite special feature is the smart, funny, and fascinating DVD commentary from director and screenwriter Anthony Minghella (better known for "The English Patient") -- Minghella's commentary is as rich and interesting as the movie itself, like having him over to dinner to discuss life, death, love, and film.
Ultimately, Truly Madly Deeply is a wonderful experience. It's also a great reminder in these sometimes difficult post-9-11 times, that -- for anyone who's ever lost a loved one, the sun does keep shining (even when the feet want to march elsewhere).
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46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly Madly Deeply Love this Movie!, January 30, 2002
I saw "Truly Madly Deeply" at a small, art house cinema over a decade ago.I remember that I really loved this film and now after recently seeing it again on DVD, I am reminded why. It is a film that brings about very strong emotions of how we feel about the special people in our lives. This is the story of women name Nina who has lost her husband, Jamie.The grief that she experiences is so profound, that she just can't get over the loss.Jamie eventally starts reappearing to Nina as a ghost (along with some very funny, video loving, ghostly friends).It is through these spectral visits, that Nina learns some very important lessons about living life. This is both a very funny but emotional story. My Favorite humorous scene is when one of Jamie's ghostly buddies, berates Nina for erasing a video tape of Wody Allen's "Manhattan".Apparently all these spirits are cinema buffs! It is not to often that we get to laugh and understand a character's pain all at the same time. Juliet Stevenson is just plainly brilliant as she has us experience her character's deep love for her late husband.Alan Rickman is very funny as a ghost, who is romantic but all too real, with his complaints and fussiness (he is constantly whining about the flat).This is one of those films, that after viewing, you want to find your love one, whether they are a spouse or child or any other special person in your life and hold them, just a bit tighter.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly, Madlyk, Deeply, November 14, 2003
One of the finest films about grieving and death I have ever seen. Humorous as well as infinitely touching, this film examines the depths to which we can fall in not letting go of one we love. Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson and Michael Maloney all give absolutely riviting, beautiful performances. Alan Rickman, one of the finest actors of our generation, again proves himself master at subtle comic delivery and timing, as well as breaking our hearts. Juliet Stevenson gives a magnificent performance as a woman who cannot let go, and gets that second chance she has dreamed of; she reaches to places few actors dare to go. Michael Maloney is charming and moving as the man who dares to love Juliet despite herself. In the best of British tradition, this film moves slowly and quietly, creating characters we come to love, encompassing both pain and humor as it illustrates the need for each of us to accept and move on. Beautiful. You will not be disappointed. (PS: The cello scene is one of the most moving ever captured on film...you will know it when you see it!>)
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